Of course, Freeman then singled off Smoker, after which Collins double-switched Jose Reyes out of the game for Jeurys Familia, who would eventually give up a sac-fly to Matt Kemp during a nine-pitch at bat.

"Freddie [Freeman] is 2-for-4 [lifetime against Reed], and I just said,' This guy is too hot,' and I thought [have him] face a power lefty [instead]," Collins explained after the game. "Once again it was, if we get the ground ball to start the inning we're not in that situation."

By the way, Reed, who's had an amazing season this year, didn't look happy and left the clubhouse last night without talking to reporters.

Ugh! The entire half inning gave me a headache.

What's worse, the repeated and questionable pitching changes resulted in Reyes being out of the lineup, with Eric Campbell, Kevin Plawecki and Ty Kelly on field in an extra-inning game during a September playoff race. Also, why announce your best pinch hitter, Kelly Johnson, in to the game, but use Campbell for him instead? And, why exactly is Jay Bruce fit to hit in a big spot late last night, but not the night before? Lastly, by Familia throwing 30 stressful pitches, it likely means he is not available tonight against the Phillies.

Frankly, it felt like Collins had some sort of quota for in-game moves -- or maybe he was suddenly possessed by Bobby Valentine, I don't know. The point is, if the Mets fall short of the postseason, we're going to look back at this three-game sweep - and last night's game and decisions in particular -- as a pivotal moment.

By the way, if you don't like Terry, today is your Christmas morning.

Personally, I'm torn on how to judge him.

I respect the adversity he's overcome this season. He lost several important players to injury, while having to manage with super-high expectations. Yet, he pulled his team out of the doldrums to get through the dog days of summer and back in position to play in October. He deserves a ton of credit for this, no doubt...

At the same time, if he and bench coach Dick Scott were more on top of things, more aware of what is happening around them, I think it's possible the Mets might be up (and not tied) in the Wild Card race. And, I'm the guy who has repeatedly said baseball managers are vastly overrated. I still believe that, but they're not inconsequential. They matter, they just don't trump player performance. However, some of the moves being made of late have repeatedly put guys in positions to fail and it's seemingly having a negative impact.

The Mets are pushing back against the idea that trading Syndergaard would signal a step back for 2019

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter | As the Mets continue to discuss trading Noah Syndergaard, the team is also exploring potential free agent starting pitchers to replace him, according to major league sources.

Trading Syndergaard -- which is no sure thing to happen, even though the Mets are exploring it -- would only be one piece in a larger strategy. The Mets could obtain a package of prospects and major leaguers for Syndergaard, then replace him with a free agent such as Patrick Corbin, J.A. Happ, Dallas Keuchel, or Nathan Eovaldi.

Those pitchers are all in the mix for the Yankees, too; Happ and Corbin are particular targets in the Bronx. The Yankees, by the way, do not expect to pursue Syndergaard, per sources...

With AFL season over, Mets prospect Peter Alonso finishes year with 42 homers in 159 games

Alonso will be at big league Spring Training in 2019

With the Arizona Fall League over, Mets first base prospect Peter Alonso has finished the season with 42 homers in a career-high 159 games.

Alonso crushed 36 homers during the minor league season, as he hit .285/.395/.579 in 132 games between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas. In the AFL, where he started off hot and cooled off late, Alonso cracked six homers while hitting .255/.339/.510 in 27 games.

The 23-year-old Alonso will be with the Mets at big league Spring Training in February, and new GM Brodie Van Wagenen -- who traveled to Arizona to have dinner with Alonso during the AFL -- recently said he is an "impact player offensively" who is going to continue to work hard on his defense.

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If Mets trade Noah Syndergaard, it won't necessarily be for prospects: Report

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Sunday that the Mets' "end game" in a Syndergaard trade would not necessarily be simply acquiring high-end prospects, of which the interested Padres have many.

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter | On its face, the idea that a team trying to contend in 2019 would trade a 26-year-old ace-level pitcher who won't be a free agent until 2021 is crazy. But if the Mets aren't going to be in on the Manny Machado's and Bryce Harper's of the world via free agency, their best shot to get a potential impact bat (and more) right now could be dealing Syndergaard...

Four underrated, undervalued free agents who should interest Mets

The Mets have multiple needs to fill

Oct 7, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu (9) hits a double during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game three of the 2018 NLDS playoff baseball series at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-USA TODAY Sports (Russell Lansford)

Most of the talk around the Mets this offseason has been about adding a high-end catcher and potential runs at high-end relievers. While the Mets should be open to adding big-name players, here are four underrated, undervalued free agents the team should have interest in...

The veteran back-up catcher Nick Hundley

Hundley has been mostly a backup catcher the past two seasons, during which he has played in 197 games while hitting a combined .242 with 19 HR and 66 RBI in 608 at-bats.

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Josh Lewin to no longer call Mets games on radio

Broadcaster spent six seasons in booth with Howie Rose

Nov 17 | 1:31PM

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Apr 3, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; General view of fans outside Citi Field before a game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports (Brad Penner)

Josh Lewin is out as Mets radio broadcaster.

The veteran announcer confirmed a New York Daily News report that he will no longer be part of the radio team as they shift form WOR-AM to WCBS-AM.

Lewin, 50, worked alongside Howie Rose for six seasons but announced on Twitter that he will be taking on a new opportunity elsewhere.

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WATCH: Mets owner Jeff Wilpon expects 'aggressive' offseason

Says team needs to score more runs to back up excellent pitching

By John Healy | Nov 16 | 6:56PM

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Mets priorities this offseason00:02:33

Jeff Wilpon and Mickey Callaway talk Jacob deGrom, what the Mets need to do this offseason, and the possibility of a Noah Syndergaard trade.

Jeff Wilpon provided music to Mets fans' ears at the Annual Turkey Giveaway on Friday.

The team owner and COO was asked how aggressive the Mets plan to be this offseason in improving the roster, to which Wilpon responded, "aggressive."

"I'm not with these people. I don't respect their judgment..."

Mets fans had San Diego Union-Tribune writer John Maffei -- the lone writer that cost Mets ace Jacob deGrom a unanimous Cy Young award win -- on their most wanted list.

And now he has company.

ESPN personality Michael Wilbon shares Maffei's stance that a pitcher's record should most certainly be taken into account when determining who should win the award. He even went as far as to say it's "absurd" how analytics is "hijacking" the game.

San Diego expected to be more aggressive than last summer

As the Mets prepare for contract extension talks with Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom, they are receiving significant trade interest in Noah Syndergaard, according to major league sources. A Syndergaard trade could be their way to add high-end talent, while still trying to contend in 2019.

SNY reported last summer that the San Diego Padres and Mets talked about a Syndergaard trade, and could revisit the subject in the offseason. According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, that has indeed happened. Our sources add that while the Padres weren't aggressive enough in July for talks to become serious, they are expected to go harder after Syndergaard now.

Instead, he fleshed out his reasoning in a Thursday column for his employer, the San Diego Union-Tribune.

"DeGrom had a fantastic season and the Mets did a great job sending out his facts and figures," wrote Maffei, who was the only one of the 30 voters not to submit a first-place ballot for the Mets ace. "Obviously, a 1.70 ERA over 217 innings is a fabulous accomplishment. But he had 10 wins and nine losses.

San Diego has one of the best farm systems in MLB

Nov 16 | 9:21AM

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New York Mets Noah Syndergaard delivers a pitch during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. (Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports)

Mets GM Brodie Van Waganen said he believes Noah Syndergaard will be a key player for the Mets going forward, but that hasn't stopped other teams from expressing interest in the power-throwing pitcher.

John Franco: 'I'm sure' Mets will ink Jacob deGrom to long-term deal

The former reliever says it's only a matter of time

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies. (AP)

In the midst of gushing over Jacob deGrom's "unheard of" Cy Young season, John Franco echoed something that's on the minds of many Mets fans these days:

"Hopefully," Franco said, "they work something out to keep Jake around a long time."

And Franco, who spoke Thursday evening before attending the 16th annual New York City gala to benefit Joe Torre's Safe at Home Foundation, believes it's only a matter of time before deGrom and the Mets agree on a contract extension that will keep deGrom in Queens.

It turned out all that fretting over whether his lack of run support would cost Jacob deGrom the Cy Young Award was unnecessary stress for Mets fans everywhere.

In fact, in some ways it was fitting that deGrom won so easily, collecting 29 of the 30 first-place votes. For just as his season was historic in many ways, so was the verdict, as delivered by the voting members of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

With that in mind, here are two important takeaways from deGrom's landslide victory:

The Mets ace on Thursday credited his Cy Young-winning season -- one of the best in MLB history -- to his ability to stay calm and collected on the mound ion 2018.

"Looking back on previous seasons there were always a couple starts that I let get out of hand," deGrom told WFAN's Mike Francesa on Thursday. "Looking at how that happened, watching film, I noticed how I kind of got angry and let that sneak up on me. I would let the game get out of hnad. [This past season] I was trying to concentrate on when runners got on, slowing the game down a little bit, taking my time, focusing on how I wanted to get that batter out.

"In 2017 I found myself looking at film watching myself get angry," he added. "Apparently I don't pitch very well when I'm angry."

The Mets should be looking to improve their bullpen, as well as add an everyday catcher, at least one impact hitter and depth beneath the entire roster.

Here are the latest headlines and rumblings from each of the above markets, followed by my take on how things currently stand and may shake out -- with a twist today...

It is common this time of year for experts and columnists to publish predictions about where top free agents will land. There are some that seem obvious, others that are reasonable conclusions, and some that are simply wishful thinking. In the case of the following three free agents, MLB insiders made predictions to me that were a bit of surprise -- specifically former MVP candidate, 3B Josh Donaldson...

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Source: Mets' Jacob deGrom sticking with CAA, where Jeff Berry will be his new agent

DeGrom had been searching for new representation after Brodie Van Wagenen became Mets GM

People are now left -- for now -- to wonder what Maffei's reasoning for his vote was

Maffei, whose non-vote denied deGrom the chance to be the 18th pitcher in history to win the award in unanimous fashion, had a chance to explain his reasoning during an appearance on WFAN with Steve Somers. Instead, he hung up on him.

Mets will honor 1969 World Series team in June

Celebrating the 50-year anniversary of the franchise's first title

Nov 15 | 10:14AM

Tom Seaver speaks during a ceremony for Members of the 1969 New York Mets baseball team before the Mets play the Phillies Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Next season will be the 50-year anniversary of the Mets' first World Series title, and they plan on honoring the team during a three-game series against the Braves in June.

Led by Tom Seaver and Tommie Agee, the 1969 Mets swept the Braves in the NLCS that year then beat the Baltimore Orioles in five games for their first World Series title, in just their eighth season of existence.

Most players who are still alive are expected to reunite from June 28 to June 30 in a ceremony to remember how the "Amazin' Mets" came to be.

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WATCH: Mets' Jacob deGrom reacts to winning 2018 NL Cy Young Award

"I'm glad I started pitching, to say the least"

Jacob deGrom joined Steve Gelbs on Baseball Night in New York after winning the 2018 NL Cy Young award.

Mets ace RHP Jacob deGrom has officially been named the 2018 National League Cy Young Award winner. And though the many saw it as a lock for deGrom after his dominate season, he had to admit the nerves waiting to hear his name called.

"I was nervous," he told SNY's Steve Gelbs after being named the fourth Met in team history to win the award. "I don't know why -- sitting here I've been really nervous about it. But I'm really excited and very thankful to everybody involved who helped me along the way. Family, friends, everybody involved in this. It really is an honor."

Mets ace Jacob deGrom wins NL Cy Young award

DeGrom had one of the best seasons ever, and now he has his hardware

What everyone knew would happen once Jacob deGrom put a bow on his incredible season on Sept. 26 has become official: The Mets ace has won the 2018 National League Cy Young award.

DeGrom, whose 1.70 ERA was the best in baseball and the fifth-lowest by any pitcher since 1996, finished with 29 of the 30 first-place votes. Max Scherzer was the pitcher that received the lone first-place vote, while Aaron Nola came in third.

Aside from his league-leading ERA, deGrom allowed three runs or fewer in an MLB-record 29 consecutive starts, was tied for the best WHIP in the NL (0.91), had a career-high 269 strikeouts, had a 0.69 WHIP with runners in scoring position, led the NL with a 1.99 FIP, and had a 216 ERA+ -- the fifth-best since the turn of the century...

WATCH: Mets' Peter Alonso blasts three-run home run

Alonso's homer was his sixth of the AFL season

Nov 14 | 11:18PM

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Jul 15, 2018; Washington, DC, USA; USA infielder Peter Alonso (34) hits a two run home run in seventh inning against the World Team during the 2018 All Star Futures Game at Nationals Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports (Geoff Burke)

Mets prospect Peter Alonso blasted a three-run home run on Wednesday night in an Arizona Fall League game.

Alonso's home run came during a breakout game during which he racked up four hits to break out of a 5-for-42 skid. His home run was his sixth of the season.

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WATCH: Mets congratulate Jacob deGrom on winning NL Cy Young Award

David Wright, Mickey Callaway, Ron Darling, Wilmer Flores, and more

Nov 14 | 7:04PM

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Congratulations, Jacob deGrom00:02:08

Jacob deGrom's teammates including David Wright and Todd Frazier among others send their congratulations to the NL Cy Young winner.

Mets ace Jacob deGrom is officially the 2018 National League Cy Young Award winner, and his teammates, coaches, and more sent their congratulations to the 30-year-old for his amazing feat...

To gauge the trade value of potential Mets trade target J.T. Realmuto, I talked with multiple MLB insiders, including two agents, two league executives and three talent evaluators.

Last week, SiriusXM MLB reporter and radio Craig Misch said league sources indicated Realmuto will cost at least high-end, young pitching prospect and a position player.

The consensus I found was that the Marlins do not require a team's top prospect, nor do they require getting back a pitcher. Instead, based on packages being prepared by organizations with interest, it'll clearly cost one or two prospects considered to be among the Top 100 in baseball, as well as a third, mid-level prospect with significant upside...

Mets traded their last Cy Young winner -- but signs point to a long-term future with Jacob deGrom

Prediction: The sides will be talking extension by next month

You might recall that R.A. Dickey's Cy Young Award in 2012 resulted not in a celebration but a quarrel between player and team that ended in the Mets trading Dickey to the Blue Jays before the end of the year.

You might also recall that, last July, when Jacob deGrom's then-agent Brodie Van Wagenen called on the Mets to either extend or consider trading the ace, a well-placed source predicted to us that it would end in a "trade in the offseason."

DeGrom, it seemed at the time, was going the way of Dickey -- a top pitcher at first willing to stay in New York long-term, but ultimately used as a rebuilding chip.

Here are the latest headlines and rumblings from the Hot Stove

Sep 4, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Mets right fielder Jay Bruce (19) is greeted by New York Mets third baseman Todd Frazier (21) as he crosses the plate after hitting a two run home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports (Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

The Mets should be looking to improve their bullpen, as well as add an everyday catcher, at least one impact hitter and depth beneath the entire roster.

Here are the latest headlines and rumblings from each of the above markets, followed by my take on how things may shake out...

Those comments came after then-agent and now-Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen made waves by suggesting the Mets should extend deGrom or trade him. And with his agent now his GM and the season in the rearview mirror, deGrom is still open to discussing an extension.

"I think anybody is open to an extension if it's right for you and your family," deGrom told MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. "Nothing is guaranteed in this game until you sign that deal or hit free agency and sign a deal there. You just have to sit down and, at the end of the day, look at what's right for you and your family and kind of make a decision based upon that."

Brandon Nimmo on Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen: 'You get the best of both worlds with him'

The 44-year-old Van Wagenen has taken some heat for his switch from agent to GM

Jun 18, 2018; Denver, CO, USA; New York Mets center fielder Brandon Nimmo (9) reacts after his inside the park home run in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports (Ron Chenoy)

Mets OF Brandon Nimmothinks the Mets are "getting the best of both worlds" with agent-turned-GM Brodie Van Wagenen.

"I think you're gonna get someone who's really in to the analytics -- knows how to read 'em -- but also has that baseball mindset where he's gonna let the analytics kind of help him make baseball decisions and not the other way around," Nimmo said. "So I think we're getting the best of both worlds in that. I'm excited to see what he's gonna do."

Nimmo, who said he has spoken with Van Wagenen, cited his intelligence, but also seemed excited that the new GM had played the game before -- with Nimmo saying Van Wagenen was an injury shy of playing in the pros...

Mets Arizona Fall League Report: Peter Alonso cooling off as season winds down

The AFL wraps up with the Championship Game on Nov. 17

Jul 15, 2018; Washington, DC, USA; USA infielder Peter Alonso (34) hits a two run home run in seventh inning against the World Team during the 2018 All Star Futures Game at Nationals Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports (Geoff Burke)

Every Sunday, we'll be taking a look at how notable Mets prospects are faring in the Arizona Fall League. The AFL features some of the best prospects in baseball and its regular season runs through Nov. 15. The Championship Game is Nov. 17.

Peter Alonso, 1B

The 23-year-old Alonso has cooled off significantly as the AFL winds down, with his line down to .221/.306/.442 in 24 games...

Mets RHP Jacob deGrom has watched Brodie Van Wagenen transition from his agent to his general manager, but the Mets' ace is optimistic about the future of the team under new leadership.

"I honestly think he's going to do a good job at this," deGrom said, per MLB.com. "You hear all of this conflict-of-interest stuff. I don't really know how to feel on that part of it. But I truly do believe he is going to be rooting for every player on our team, and try to help them out the best he can."

Van Wagenen, who as deGrom's agent this summer said that the Mets should either extend him or "consider trade opportunities," was happy to hear the right-hander's comments about his new role as general manager.

Utley tormented the Mets with Phillies and then became a villain in Los Angeles

Chase Utley, who tormented the Mets as a member of the Phillies from 2003 to the middle of 2015 and broke Ruben Tejada's leg with a dirty "slide" in Game 2 of the 2015 NLDS as a Dodger, was released by the Dodgers Friday to facilitate his official retirement.

Utley, 39, announced during the season that it would be his last.

The season after breaking Tejada's leg in the NLDS, Utley was thrown behind at Citi Field by Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard. That moment led to Syndergaard's ejection and the now-infamous 'ass-in-the-jackpot' argument between crew chief Tom Hallion and then-Mets manager Terry Collins...

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Mets don't see free agent Manny Machado as 'the right player to spend big on': Report

The 26-year-old Machado could command a deal of 10 or more years worth $300 million or more. A potential Machado deal could also include one or multiple opt-outs.

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter | If ever there was a "right player to spend big on" for the Mets at this point in time, it can be argued that it's Manny Machado. There could be legitimate reasons why the Mets don't think Machado is a fit -- and it would be interesting to hear those reasons. But on the surface, Machado seems like the perfect player at the perfect time for the Mets. Some reasons why...

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Mets, special assistant J.P. Ricciardi parting ways

Ricciardi's future became uncertain after the hiring of Brodie Van Wagenen as GM

The Mets announced Friday that the club and special assistant to the GM J.P. Ricciardi have mutually agreed to part ways, effective immediately.

"The Mets are grateful for all J.P. has brought to the team over the last eight seasons and we wish him all the best going forward," Mets COO Jeff Wilpon said in a statement. "He was and will continue to be a friend. J.P. was instrumental in identifying and bringing talent to the Mets that helped develop our growth throughout the entire system and stepped up to play an even larger role when we needed him over the time Sandy had to step away."